Year 11 pupils got down to business when they joined two members of the Enterprise and Skills Company to undertake a global challenge.

Students at Prospect School, in Cockney Hill, Tilehurst, took part in the Global Business Challenge, which involved them in activities designed to broaden their awareness of different cultures and the diverse cultural backgrounds of their peers.

A Where in the World? game had pupils identifying why some countries specialise in certain goods, and indicating where and why products and services are in different parts of the world.

The highlight of the day was the Trading Game in which students had to take on the identity of an allocated country – with the relative proportion of wealth and resources the country is endowed with. They then make ‘goods’ for which they were paid by the ‘shop’ if they were of a high enough quality.

Countries represented included Japan, USA, Brazil, Jamaica and Mozambique. As the game evolved, students developed their bargaining and negotiation skills, along with their initiative, creativity and risk-taking abilities.

Feedback from the day was very positive on both sides – students thoroughly enjoyed the day and the Skills and Enterprise Company were really impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm of the students.